Tresham College will merge with Bedford College in a move which will see courses and programmes expanded across Wellingborough, Kettering and Corby sites.
The merge will take place this summer and see the formation of the Bedford College Group, which includes Shuttleworth College and The Bedford Sixth Form.
The move was first suggested in February and the green-light was given at the beginning of June.
Governors and interim managers for both Tresham College, which has campuses in Wellingborough, Kettering and Corby, and Bedford College have overseen the move.
Speaking to the Northamptonshire Telegraph, Jane Spurgin, merger support consultant, who has managed the merger process for the two colleges, said: “The merger between the two colleges is a fantastic opportunity for the local communities in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.
“Staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that the required due diligence checks have been completed within a tight timescale.
“I am so pleased with how the cross college teams are working together and the progress that has already been made towards creating one of the largest colleges in England.”
Ian Pryce CBE, principal and chief executive of Bedford College since 1998, will take up the role of group principal while interim principal for Tresham College Ioan Morgan CBE, who was appointed in 2016 to help the college secure financial stability, retires.
Speaking of the formal decision to merge, Mr Pryce CBE, told the Northamptonshire Telegraph: “The bigger college will be able to better serve Bedford and North Northamptonshire.
“It enables us to expand the courses and programmes including more advanced and higher level programmes and more apprenticeships.
“For staff it protects jobs and will ensure we can attract the best people.
“We are committed to the communities of Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough as well as Bedfordshire and we plan to grow provision in all areas.
“The enthusiastic response we have had from employers, local councils, staff and students shows the community has the same ambition as us and that support will help enormously.”
To read the full response from the public consultation go to www.bedford.ac.uk or www.tresham.ac.uk